Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 study a broad and balanced curriculum in line with the demands of the Northern Ireland programme of study. They work on the development of their reading, writing and speaking and listening skills as we strive to foster an enjoyment of drama, prose and poetry as well as the ability to understand and analyse media and non-fiction texts. Students develop the skills necessary to become active participants in and positive contributors to the world around them.

Assessment at Key Stage 3 is on-going daily but happens officially four times a year in bi-monthly tests which focus on the various processes – reading, writing and speaking and listening. Work done during Years 8, 9 and 10 links directly with the demands of GCSE to ensure effective progression and continuity across both key stages.

Key Stage 3 Fiction Reading List

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

A Sterkarm Kiss by Susan Price

The Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Caught in the Crossfire by Alan Gibbons

At the Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper

Bootleg by Alex Shearer

City of the Beast by Isabel Allende

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

The Fire-Eaters by David Almond

The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgewick

Cold Tom by Sally Prue

From Out of the Shadows by Jamila Gavin

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Deep Secret by Berlie Doherty

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

The Dark Horse by Marcus Sedgewick

Dovey Coeby Frances O’Roark Dowell

How to Disappear Completely and Never be Found by Sara Nickerson

The Edge by Alan Gibbons

Fighting Back by Catherine MacPhail

Inventing Elliot by Graham Gardner

Exodus by Julie Bertagna

Fox by Matthew Sweeney

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty

Haunting of Alaizabel Clay by Chris Wooding

Lirael by Garthe Nix

Firesong by William Nicholson

Martyn Pig by Kevin Brooks

From Out of the Shadows by Jamila Gavin

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Grass for His Pillow by Lian Hearn

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman

Pirates! by Celia Rees

Letters from the Inside by John Martsen

Point Blanc by Antony Horowitz

Malarkey by Keith Gray

Predator’s Gold by Philip Reeve

Remembrance by Theresa Breslin

Rani and Suki by Bali Rai

Sabriel by Garth Nix

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Reluctant and less confident readers should check out the range of books available from Barrington Stoke publishers. Visit their website below:

Students in Years 11 and 12 follow the CEA GCSE English Language specification, a two year course.

In Year 11, the emphasis is on developing the skills required to successfully complete the demands of controlled assessment with students completing their response to the written word task and three speaking and listening tasks in terms four to six. In Year 12, students take the two external examinations early. Intervention and support plans run alongside this, tailored specifically to meet the needs of students to maximise their chances of success.

CEA GCSE English Language Specification:

Controlled Assessment

Response to the Written Word (15%) – Of Mice and Men

Creative Writing (15%) – titles will depend on the focus provided by CEA

Study of the Spoken Word (10%) – titles will depend on the focus provided by CEA